Markus Karlsson meets Youssef Amrani, Secretary-General of the Union for the Mediterranean. He explains how the Arab spring has changed the dynamics of the relationship between Europe and the Mediterranean countries.
Marc Perelman meets Rafik Husseini, Deputy Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, in charge of Water and Environment. He discusses the role of his organisation, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the ongoing popular revolt in the Arab world.
France’s new foreign minister, Alain Juppé, said Monday he wants to improve relations within the Mediterranean Union in the wake of uprisings in some of its Arab world members. Juppé also said he wanted to be prepared for "the rise of Africa".
Western leaders ponder the military option in ousting Muammer Gaddafi but François Picard's panel is divided with some saying let the Lybians finish the job themselves.
Beset by allegations of paying for sex with an underage prostitute, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi faces mounting pressure to step down. With his North African partners on the way out, what will become of French President Nicolas Sarkozy's pet project, the Mediterranean Union?
And it may have been embraced by many European countries, including Norway and Portugal, but France is still saying no to gay marriage.
As the world watches events unfold in Egypt and Tunisia, Europe is wondering how it can reinvent its policy towards the region. Launched in July 2008, the Union for the Mediterranean has failed to promote economic integration and democratic reform across North Africa and the Middle East. How can Europe stay relevant in the region? Why is it that European policymakers failed to hear the aspirations of the local population? We put these questions to two MEPs.
The presidents of France and Egypt met on Monday in Paris to discuss how a planned November summit of the Mediterranean Union could contribute to a Middle East peace accord after the resumption of direct Israeli – Palestinian talks.
18 months after its creation, diplomats met in Cairo in an effort to jump-start the Union for the Mediterranean, pet project of French president Nicolas Sarkozy. So far, it's been difficult getting the project off the ground. But those working to revive it hope that choosing a Secretary General will help.
The Union for the Mediterranean, launched with pomp and circumstance by French president Nicolas Sarkozy in July 2008, seems to have dwindled into apathy. Its member countries are hoping that an upcoming conference in Cairo will give the Union a new start.
